Global, local food traders invited to source at IFEX Philippines 2019 amid booming PH agri-exports
DTI-CITEM eyes to further boost exports as it presents ‘NXTFOOD ASIA’
Food traders and enthusiasts around world are invited to source the finest Asian food and ingredients in the Philippines as the country’s food and agricultural product export continuous to expand.
The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), said global buyers should discover the next big thing in Asian food in the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) on May 24-26, 2019.
Now on its 13th edition, the three-day event will present “NXTFOOD ASIA” featuring the innovations, trends and best practices in the food industry with the participation of Philippine and Asian food champions, manufacturers, culinary talents and other stakeholders.
“The Philippines is your gateway to Asian food products with its vibrant agri-export and food manufacturing industry, as well as its sheer oriental influence and strategic proximity to other Asian countries,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
“Food buyers and lovers can savor these Asian products and other tropical delights with the showcase of ‘NXTFOOD ASIA’ in IFEX Philippines, which is the country’s biggest and most respected business-to-business (B2B) event for Asian food and ingredients,” she expressed.
The three-day event will cover 12 different food sectors namely (1) seafood and marine products; (2) alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; (3) coffee, herbal teas and cocoa; (4) fresh and processed seafood; (5) fruits and vegetables; (6) grains and cereals; (7) herbs and spices; (8) meat and poultry; (9) natural, healthy and organic products; (10) bakery and confectionery; (11) specialty, ethnic and gourmet products; and (12) allied industries.
According to Suaco-Juan, buyers and visitors are in for a much exciting and productive sourcing experience in IFEX Philippines this year. Attendees can discover, taste, feel, smell, see in full color the next big thing in Asian food and relish on their lineup of exhibits and activities.
“By presenting “NXTFOOD ASIA,” we aim to showcase the agricultural bounty and culinary heritage of the Philippines and other Asian countries that are now delighting palates across the globe,” noted Suaco-Juan.
PH agri-exports boom
In 2017, the Philippines’ export earnings from agricultural products reached a total of Php 331.61 billion with fresh banana as the country’s leading agricultural export commodity, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This number was higher by 32.25 percent from the 2016 record of Php 250.75 billion.
The country has recently reclaimed its position as the second-largest exporter of bananas in the world, based on a preliminary market review report of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
FAO estimated that Philippine banana exports last year expanded by 77.34 percent to an all-time high of 2.95 million metric tons, from a recorded volume of 1.663 MMT in 2017.
The output recovery of the Philippines, which accounts for about 90 percent of the total Asian banana exports, boosted the region’s shipments, which grew by 70 percent in 2018 to 3.2 MMT, from 1.9 MMT in 2017, according to FAO.
Meanwhile, the same PSA report showed the volume of centrifugal sugar exports at 440,733 metric tons indicating a 142.48 percent increment in 2017. Its exports value went up to Php 10.26 billion by 118.14 percent and contributed 3.09 percent to the total value of agricultural exports.
The volume of fresh mango exports at 16,166 metric tons and value at Php 1.17 billion also went up by 12.36 percent and 84.56 percent, respectively.
“Increasing exportations both in volume and value were noted for onion, mongo, cocoa beans, sweet potato, cassava, papaya and calamansi,” said Suaco-Juan. “There’s also a huge market interest for the other agri-commodities like santol, kamias, jackfruit, dalandan, passion fruit and other rootcrops and exotic Philippine fruits.”
PSA report also revealed that the value of rice exports in 2017 at Php 44.61 million expanded notably by 114.85 percent. Its corresponding volume went up to 322.0 metric tons or by 22.30 percent. Exportation of corn in 2017 at 595.5 metric tons valued at Php 84.11 million also increased by 71.66 percent and by 65.32 percent, respectively.
In the world export market, the Philippines has a bigger share in the export earnings generated from coconut products. In 2016, the contribution of the Philippines’ export value of desiccated coconut to the world export earnings increased to 31.07 percent. Increasing shares were noted as well in pineapple at 24.99 percent and banana at 5.77 percent.
The Philippine Business and News is a proud media partner of the IFEX Philippines 2019